Robert H. Douglas

Robert H. Douglas, 90, died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, at his home. He was born March 3, 1928, in Endicott, New York, the son of Alan and Edith (Phileo) Douglas. He graduated high school in New York. On June 15, 1963, Mr. Douglas married Marian Stover in Bartonsville.

He was employed as a machinist with Cone Blanchard in Windsor, Bryant Grinder Co. and Fellows Gear Shaper in Springfield, for many years. He also worked as a truck driver with Idlenot Dairy in Springfield. He enjoyed playing violin, hiking, riding unicycle and word puzzles.

Survivors include two children Geoffrey Douglas, of Springfield, Deborah Kopefchny, of Toronto, Canada; three grandchildren; five siblings David, Gladys, Margaret, Elaine and Mary. Mr. Douglas was predeceased by his wife July 4, 2014, and a son, Rob Douglas, in 2004.

The memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at Andover Community Church in Andover, with the Rev. Daryl Martens officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Springfield Family Center, 365 Summer St., Springfield, VT 05156.

Arrangements are by Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield.

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Robert H. Nelson

Robert H. Nelson Jr. 88, passed away on Wednesday evening November 21, 2018 at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon, N.H. He was born April 1, 1930 in North Hartland, Vt. the son or Robert and Claribel (Hunt) Nelson. He graduated from Windsor High School class of 1948. He served in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1946 to 1948 and was discharged to join the U.S. Airforce serving from December 1948 to September 1952. He also served with the Hurricane Hunters Squadron in Bermuda for 3 years.

On April 3, 1954 He married Shirley Smith and they made there home in North Springfield, Vermont for many years. He was employed as an Industrial Engineer with the Fellows Gear Shaper for almost 40 years, retiring in 1991. After his retirement from Fellows he worked delivering vehicles for Springfield Auto Mart for many years.

Bob was an avid aviation enthusiast since the early 1940’s. A model airplane builder and kit collector, he had two shows of his work at the Miller Art Center in Springfield, Vt. He was a lifetime member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, a member of the Air Force Association, a member of the International Plastic Modelers Society, a member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics, and a member of the American Auto Association.

He was an avid roller skater and enjoyed traveling around in his convertibles over the years, He loved to drive all over the country.

He is survived by his wife Shirley of N. Springfield, Vt., Son Ken Nelson and his wife Diane of Rutland, Vt., daughters : Bonnie Jo Sandstrom and her husband Gary of Manchester, N.H. and Carol-Lynn Knight and her husband Rich of N. Springfield, Vt. Sister Teri L. Perkins of Boynton Beach, Fl. 8 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and several nieces. He was predeceased by his parents, two sisters : Arlene McFadden, and Barbara Ranney and one nephew Michael.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday November 28, 2018 at the Davis Memorial Chapel, Reverend George Keeler will officiate. Friends may call at the Davis Memorial Chapel from 10:00 to 11:00 AM Wednesday morning. Burial will be in the Vermont Veterans Cemetery in Randolph Center, Vermont in the Spring of 2019.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in his memory to the American Diabetes Association 2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900 Arlington, VA 22202 or at www.diabetes.org/ Arrangements are under the direction of the Davis Memorial Chapel in Spriigfield.

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Doris B. Clark

Doris B. Clark, 93, formerly of Springfield and Wardsboro, died Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, at Cedar Hill Health Care Center in Windsor. She was born June 19, 1925, in Windham, the daughter of Leon and Sadie (Underwood) Bills. She worked as a nanny in private homes and also owned and operated a day care/child care business for many years.

Survivors include four children Roger Fuller, of Cavendish, Ellen Fuller, of Marlboro, Sarah Wilcox, of Springfield, Bonnie Bedi, of Sylvester, Georgia; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Kenneth Fuller Sr., Aug. 1, 1992; two sons Lester and Kenneth Fuller Jr.; and her siblings.

A service and burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Springfield Humane Society, 401 Skitchewaug Trail, Springfield, VT 05156; or Cedar Hill Health Care Center Activities Fund, 49 Cedar Hill Drive, Windsor, VT 05089.

Arrangements are by Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield.

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Deborah J. (Smith) Speckman

Deborah J. Speckman, 64, of Walpole passed away Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018 following an intense battle with cancer. She was born on July 6, 1954 to the late Wilfred and Doris (Massé) Smith in Putnam, Connecticut. She grew up on her family farm in Chester, Vermont, the youngest of four children. Her love of the outdoors and wildlife, cultivated by her younger years, flourished into a love of watching birds, chipmunks, and larger wildlife from her back deck. As the daughter of a stone mason, Debbie enjoyed creating stone walls and stone flower beds around her property, for the enjoyment of her critters and the peacefulness it gave to her. She married Lawrence (Larry) Speckman of Walpole on February, 14, 1992. Debbie enjoyed her customers and coworkers at SEVCA Good Buy Stores in both Bellows Falls and Springfield, Vermont, where she worked as a sales clerk for many years.

Debbie is survived by her husband, Lawrence Speckman of Walpole, her brother Ron and his wife Kathy of North Springfield Vermont, her sister Sandra Goodwin and her husband Robert of Windsor, Vermont, her son Samuel Carpenter and his wife Renée, her daughter Jennifer Carpenter of Blachly, Oregon, and grandchildren Mason and Rebecca, of Chester, Vermont. She was predeceased by her parents Wilfred and Doris Smith of Chester/North Springfield, Vermont, and by her brother Bobby Smith of Springfield, Vermont.

Public calling hours will be held at Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home on Nov. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. A private family service will be held in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.

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Doris E. Stewart

Doris Elaine Stewart of Charlotte, Vermont, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at Maple Ridge Memory Care in Essex Junction, VT on November 17, 2018.

Doris was born on January 17, 1940 in Springfield, VT, the daughter of John Kenneth and Pauline (Bain) Aiken.

After graduating from Springfield High School, she attended Vermont College, where she graduated and became a medical secretary. Doris married Harold Stewart October 16, 1965, spending 53 wonderful years together.

She enjoyed spending time on Lake Champlain with family and friends and she cherished her time spent watching her sons and grandchildren play sports over the years. She was a member of the First Congregational Church of Burlington, VT, and volunteered over 20 years at the church's Possibility shop.

Doris is survived by her husband, Harold Stewart; her sister Jeanne Brown; her children Joe Stewart and his wife, Shelly, Scott Stewart and his wife, Brenda; her grandchildren Joshua Stewart, Kristin Darby, Kelsey Darby and Miranda Stewart.

A memorial service is scheduled for 10 am, Friday, November 30, 2018 at the First Congregational Church, 38 S Winooski Ave., Burlington, VT. All are invited to attend a reception following the service which will also be held at the First Congregational Church.

Doris's family would like to thank both Maple Ridge Memory Care and UVM Home Health & Hospice, for the wonderful care provided to her during her final days.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association of Vermont https://www.alz.org/vermont.

Messages of condolence may be sent to Doris's family at www.gregorycremation.com

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Don L. Emerson

Don Leonard Emerson died peacefully at Maple Lane Nursing Home in Barton, VT on November 12 at the age of 79, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Don is survived by his sons, Jeff (Clare) and Seth (Deb); his former wife, Rickie Emerson; his twin brother, Jon (Betsy), brothers, Russell (Barbara) and Barry (Karen); his sister, Candice (Richard); his grandchildren, Jake & Abi; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Don was born on September 2, 1939 in Springfield, VT to Sibyl (Leonard) & Waldo Emerson and attended Springfield High School, where he excelled in basketball and football, proudly winning two state Division 1 basketball championships and representing Vermont in the 1957 Shrine Bowl game. He graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology, where he earned a basketball scholarship, and Fairleigh Dickinson University. After 30 years as a manager at IBM, Don moved to Florida where he enjoyed the happy life of a retiree before returning to his native Vermont in 2014.

Don was happiest when spending time with his grandchildren in London or when at the family camp in Jaffrey, NH, where he loved judging the quality of his sons', nieces' and nephews' dives (always giving more 'ones' then 'tens'), and playing cards for hours when he wasn't re-telling the story of the time he shot baskets with one of his heroes, Bob Cousy, in the Boston Garden, claiming every parquet square made a different noise when the ball hit the floor. His charm, easy smile, and quick wit will be missed.

The family will be celebrating a private service but condolences may be sent to 53 Ward Street, Burlington, VT, 05401.

The family was assisted by Elmwood Meunier Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Don's name to the Alzheimer's Association:

https://www.alz.org/vermont

Yearbook Photo
SHS Class of 1957

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Christopher A. McNutt

Christopher A. McNutt, 53, passed away suddenly on Nov. 15, 2018.

Chris was born in upstate New York and spent most of his childhood in Berkshire, Vermont. He then moved to Charlestown, where he graduated from Springfield High School in Springfield, Vermont in 1983.

Chris is survived by his wife Stephanie of North Charlestown and daughter Emily of Newport; his brother Ray McNutt of Indiana; nephews, Will and Matt, also of Indiana; an Aunt Beverley of Alburgh, Vermont; and various cousins. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Joan Slade of Claremont, and brother-in-law, Peter Slade of Hallowell, Maine. He was predeceased by his mother, Shirley (Moore) McNutt, and father, Larry McNutt, father-in-law, Paul Slade, and a brother-in-law, Matt Slade.

Chris worked at Marros Home Center as an assistant manager for 33 years. He was a helpful wealth of knowledge, with many friends and acquaintances and a valued employee who had a close relationship with Patty and the whole Marro family and coworkers.

Through high school Chris played football and became an avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings.

Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, Nov. 27 at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street in Claremont from 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. with Father Shawn officiating.

To view an online memorial or send message of condolence, visit www.stringerfh.com.

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Mabel T. Barlow

Mabel T. Barlow 89, passed away on Wednesday morning November 14, 2018 at Cedar Hill Health Care Center in Windsor, Vermont. She was born on November 21, 1928 in Chester, Vt. the daughter of Guy and Gladys ( Mowry ) Trombley. She graduated from Springfield High School.

On April 30, 1949 she married Robert J. Barlow in Springfield, Vermont, her predeceased her on July 13, 2014. With her husband she owned and operated Barlow’s Look Away Farm in Springfield, Vt. which included dairy cows, beef cattle and a large maple sugaring operation.

She enjoyed flower gardening and vegetable gardening. She resided in Springfield most of her life, for the past several years she resided at Cedar Hill in Windsor, Vt. and truly considered Cedar Hill her home. She was a member of the First Congregational Church in Springfield and volunteered making mittens every year for the Church Bazaar, one year making over 100 pairs.

She is survived by: one son Scott Barlow and his wife Joanne of Springfield, two daughters – Jane Waysville and her husband John of Springfield, and Twyla Sweetmoon of Marathon Shores, Fl. 3 grandchildren : Cristina Price and her husband Jeff, Jason Waysville and his wife Erin, and Nicholas Barlow and his wife Cailin. 4 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by one brother and five sisters.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday November 21, 2018 at the First Congregational Church in Springfield, Vt. Reverend Gerry Piper will officiate. Friends may call at the Church on Wednesday morning from 10:30 to 11:00 AM Burial will follow in the Oakland Cemetery in Springfield. A reception will follow at the Church.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in her memory to the Springfield Humane Society 401 Skitchewaug Trail Springfield, Vt. 05156 or to Cedar Hill Activities Fund 49 Cedar Hill Drive Windsor, Vt. 05089.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield, Vt.

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Anna C. (Williams) Giddings

Anna C. (Williams) Giddings, 90, died on Saturday morning Nov. 10, 2018 at her home.She was born in Poultney, Vermont Aug. 16, 1928 daughter of John and Regis (Keith) Williams and moved to Springfield, Vermont when she was very young. She attended Springfield schools, and graduated from Springfield High School.

On Sept. 13, 1947 she married Lawrence “Stub” Giddings at the Baptist Church in Springfield, Vermont. They lived in Springfield until 1986 when they moved to Alden Road in Rockingham, Vermont. Anna lived there until 2015, when she moved in with her daughter Joyce due to dementia.

Anna worked as a seamstress in her home for many years. She was employed by the Springfield Hospital, Green Stamp Store, Young’s Furniture, Fellows Gear Shaper and Jones & Lamson. After she retired, she worked with her husband doing flower landscaping, which they both loved.

She is survived by daughter Joyce G. and Eddie LaVoie of Weathersfield, Vermont, daughter Vickie and Bob Lucious of Springfield, Vermont, son Barry “Tink” and Linda Giddings of Titusville, Florida, brother Roger and Cathy Williams of Springfield, Vermont; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Lawrence H. Giddings on May 6, 2005, her son Larry John Giddings, her parents John William Sr. and Regis Williams Clough, and six siblings John Williams Jr., Bill Williams, Paulene (Polly) Wilson, Arlene (Topper) Ross, Lorraine McCormack, Gertrude (Skip) Snide Tallman.

Per Anna’s wishes there will be no calling hours.

Any donations may be made to Visiting Nurse and Hospice (VNH) P.O. Box 881 Brattleboro, Vt. 05302.

Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield is assisting with arrangements.

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Cornelia Sanderson

Cornelia Sanderson, 82, died November 10, 2018 at the Mertens House in Woodstock, Vermont.

She was born on February 18, 1936 in Springfield, Vermont the daughter of Gerald and Rachel (Pollard) Bushway.

Cornelia went through the 8th grades at Reading School and was active in the school band, the 4H Club, and the church. She graduated from Springfield High School in 1953 and married Howard Sanderson of Brownsville later that same year. Howard and Cornelia lived in Reading and raised their two children. Cornelia was active in the PTA, helping to start the first hot lunch program and being the treasurer of the group. She also taught sewing in the 4H Club. She was active in the church serving on the Executive Board and as the treasurer for many years.

Cornelia was always willing and able to work on any fundraiser, no matter the cause. She helped with roast beef suppers put on for the library, church, Historical Society, fire department and the South Reading Church. She enjoyed helping with jeep rides, food sales, rummage sales and chicken barbecues to further raise funds. Cornelia was employed by the Ellis family at the South Woodstock Country Store and did house cleaning for several people in Reading. In later years, she worked as a clerk at her son’s Reading Hardware Store. Before Alzheimer’s disease robbed her of her ability to do anything, she enjoyed reading, knitting, sewing and going to yard sales.

Cornelia is pre deceased by her parents, her husband Howard, and her daughter Kathleen. She is survived by her son Howard, Jr. of Reading, VT, a brother Charles Bushway of Ascutney, a number of extended family on both her and her late husbands side.

Special thanks to those who helped care for Cornelia; Jessica Martin, the staff at the Merten’s House, and the staff of Bayada Hospice

There will be no services at this time. Those wishing may make memorial donations to the Reading Public Library, P.O. Box 7, Reading, VT 05062or to the Merten’s House, 73 River Street, Woodstock, VT 05091

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock. An on line guest book can be found at cabotfh.com

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Rachel Bibens Watkins

Rachel Bibens Watkins, 100, formerly of Reading and Springfield, Vt., passed away with her children by her side, on Nov. 5, 2018, in Plattsburgh, N.Y. Rachel was born on May 21, 1918, in Springfield, Vt., the daughter of Gladys and Burnham Bibens. She was predeceased by her husband of fifty-five years, Kenneth Watkins; her parents and her siblings, Eric Bibens, Merrill Bibens, George Bibens, and Nellie Reed.

She is survived by her son, Dale (Judy) Watkins of Bedford, Mass., and her daughter, Diane (Robert) Smith of Plattsburgh, N.Y.; her grandchildren, Mark Watkins, Meghan (Anthony) Caiazzo, Kristin (Dominick) Pangallo, Lindsey (Luke) Carapezza, and Michael Smith and his fiance, Lourdes Gonzalez; her great-grandchildren, Aurelia and Lucy Pangallo, Parker and Ella Carapezza, and Hudson and Cora Caiazzo; her sister, Elizabeth Wallace and many nieces and nephews.

Rachel graduated from Springfield High School and from the University of Missouri in 1940. That fall, she married Kenneth Watkins. They owned and operated Watkins General Store in Reading until 1971.

Rachel was also the Town Auditor and Town Clerk for Reading for several years before opening her own Real Estate business, Watkins Real Estate in Reading. She received the Realtor of the Year Award for Windsor County in 1975. In addition, Rachel was an active member of her community, held offices and served on numerous boards. She was especially dedicated to the Reading Christian Union Church and the PTA where she was an officer at the state level. After moving to back to Springfield in her eighties, Rachel was an active volunteer at the Senior Citizen Center and the Springfield Hospital.

Rachel enriched the lives of those around her. She was an influential role model, especially for girls, on how to be a strong and independent woman. Her love of family, integrity, work ethic, practicality, graciousness, frugality, dry sense of humor, her fabulous apple pies and her memorable "one-liners" define Rachel. She was loved by many, a testament to a life well lived.

The family extends thanks to the excellent caregiving lovingly provided at The Vilas Home and Meadowbrook Healthcare. There will be no calling hours, rather a memorial service will be held in Vermont in the spring, at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rachel's memory may be made to the Vilas Home, 61 Beekman Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901.

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David L. Rorison

David L. Rorison, 91, of Springfield, Vermont died peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, surrounded by family. He was born in Rutland, Vermont on July 16, 1927, to Alstine and Helen (Lang) Rorison of Mendon, Vermont. He graduated from Rutland High School in 1945. After 15 months in the U.S. Marine Corps, he entered the Vermont State School of Agriculture (now Vermont Technical College) and graduated in 1947.

David married Eleanor Fairbank in 1949, moved to Springfield, and they enjoyed nearly 50 years of marriage before she died in 1999. David was a wonderful and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He will always be remembered by his love for his family, kindness to others, his wit, incredible strength, and work ethic.

David’s career started as a milk tester with Springfield DHIA in 1951, and after retirement from Idlenot Dairy in 1990, he returned to milk testing for another 20 years at DHIA.

He was active in the Springfield community, as a member of the Jaycees (Jr. Chamber of Commerce), the United Methodist Church, and the American Legion. He was also a volunteer firefighter. David was active at the Springfield Senior Center, where he served on the Senior Center Advisory Board. He and Eleanor square danced for 25 years with the Precision Valley Squares. They loved to go bowling and camping, and spending time with family and friends. David was a lifelong Red Sox fan. In 2009 he was named Springfield’s Senior Citizen of the Year.

David is survived by his brother Gilbert and his family of Rutland. He also leaves behind his five children: Robert (and Barbara), of Springfield, Vermont; Phyllis Hanus (and Thad), Thomas (and Jodi), of Weathersfield, Vermont; Gary (and Debra Whitcomb) of El Paso, Texas; and Kathleen (and Laurence Bassett) of Fairlee, Vermont; four grandchildren: Scott (and Becky) Greene, Stacie (and Carl) Marshall, Tim (and Sarah) Greene, and Megan (and Patrick) Applegate; nine great-grandchildren: Jonas, Chicory, Ruth, Owen, Finnegan, Dominic, Riley, Andrew, and MacKenna; several grandchildren-in-law, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by a son, Keith, in 1990, and a son-in-law, Francis Greene, in 2000.

There will be a visiting hour at the Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield, Vermont, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, followed by an 11 a.m. service. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery in Springfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Meals on Wheels program at Senior Solutions, 38 Pleasant Street, Springfield VT, or the Springfield Senior Center, 139 Main Street, Springfield, VT.

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